Congratulations on your pregnancy! You’re in those magical nine months of your life. As much as a mom-to-be cherishes her pregnancy, it can be a daunting experience as well. People suggest you do to so many things – eat this it’ll be good for the baby, don’t do this it can harm the baby etc. It is best that you listen to your doctor’s advice.

Most women are super careful during their pregnancy, but the one health aspect that tends to get neglected is dental care. It is so important to protect your teeth during pregnancy. Pregnancy causes various hormonal changes in a woman’s body. These hormonal ups and downs can be the cause of dental problems, like gingivitis, increased risk of tooth infection, and enamel damage due to pregnancy related vomiting.

Given below are some things that you can do to protect your teeth and keep your dental health in check.

Maintain dental hygiene routine

Maintaining proper dental hygiene in pregnancy is crucial. Simple steps like brushing twice a day and flossing can help go a long way in protecting your teeth. Poor dental habits have been associated with premature delivery, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction, and preeclampsia. It is most important to brush your teeth at night as most saliva is produced when you sleep that can damage your teeth. Brush at night to avoid cavity causing bacterial growth and reduce morning sickness as well.

Work to reduce morning sickness

Morning sickness is an inevitable part of pregnancy. The acidic vomit can cause great damage to the enamel of your teeth and you should try and find ways to minimize morning sickness. Here are some tips to relieve it –

• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid spicy and fatty foods
• Reduce caffeine intake
• Be physically active
• Drink ginger tea and peppermint tea
• Eat small portion size meals instead of eating a huge meal at once

You can reduce morning sickness, but cannot eliminate it completely. Dentists recommend you thoroughly rinse your mouth with a solution of ½ tsp baking soda and a pinch of salt in one cup water. This will neutralize the effects of acid and protect your teeth and gums.

Avoid dental treatments

There are certain dental treatments that you should avoid during pregnancy. Cosmetic dentistry treatments like inlays and onlays, teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants, and bonding are best left to be done after your delivery.

Drink lots of water

Water is great for your health and you should drink at least 10 – 12 glasses per day. Try to avoid drinking bottled water because it has no fluoride. You can drink water from copper vessel or earthen vessel for added benefits.

Talk to your dentist

Make sure you talk to your dentist about your pregnancy so that he/ she can treat you in an appropriate manner. The main concern of your dentist will be to keep you and your baby safe from any side effects of medications, and to try and avoid antibiotics as much as possible.

You can also ask your dentist for ways to manage and prevent dental problems. The dentist might suggest some lifestyle changes. Follow them, have a dental hygiene routine, and visit the dentist regularly for check-ups – this way you can sail through the pregnancy and keep your pearly whites safe!